In a surprising twist for the royal family tree, new genealogical findings have uncovered that the Prince and Princess of Wales share a famous Irish popstar as a distant relative.
A Musical Link in the Royal Bloodline
It is now understood that both Kate Middleton and her husband Prince William are genetically linked to the artist Chris de Burgh, best known for his 1986 hit 'The Lady in Red'. The revelation adds another layer to the well-documented fact that the royal couple themselves are distantly related to each other.
While it has been known for several years that Kate has ancestral ties to the de Burgh family, fresh research indicates that Prince William is also part of this extended family tree. The connection stems from part of Kate's family, which has roots in Ireland dating back centuries.
Historical Ties to Edward III
The intricate web of ancestry traces back to one of England's most prolific monarchs. Both William and Kate are descended from King Edward III and his queen, Philippa of Hainault.
Their son, Lionel of Antwerp, married Irish heiress Elizabeth de Burgh, the Countess of Ulster. Centuries later, a descendant named Agnes Gascoigne married Sir Thomas Fairfax, a landowner and ally of Henry VIII who resided at Gilling Castle in Yorkshire.
Prince William descends from their son, Sir Nicholas Fairfax, while Kate comes from his younger brother, William. This specific lineage makes the couple fourteenth cousins.
Connections to Diana and a Bizarre Coincidence
Chris de Burgh also has a poignant link to William's late mother, Princess Diana. The singer met Diana on several occasions, most notably at a public engagement where she helped name a Virgin Airbus 'Lady in Red'.
In a further genealogical coincidence, it was noted that Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, are also distant relatives. Research by the Mail found the couple are 15th cousins, linked through a man named Ralph Bowes, born in 1480.
The connection between the de Burgh family and the Middletons was first publicly noted in 2013. At the time, Chris de Burgh, who is married with three children, expressed his surprise, stating: "I was unaware that there is a distant connection between the de Burgh family and the Middletons."
He added humorously, "There are probably many others also connected to both families. At least that will give us something to talk about should we ever have a cup of tea together."
It is important to clarify that Chris de Burgh's family is not directly descended from Edward III. His mother was Maeve Emily de Burgh, daughter of British Army officer General Sir Eric de Burgh. The shared surname comes from the daughter-in-law of the medieval king.
As explained by Patrick Cracroft-Brennan, editor of Cracroft’s Peerage, the precise relationship makes William and Kate fourteenth cousins once removed through his mother, Diana, and fifteenth cousins through his father, now King Charles.
